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Recently diagnosed with osteoporosis and I am terrified

Posted by drterri @drterri, Nov 3, 2025

Hi, I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis in my spine and hips about a month ago and I am now living in fear. I feel like I'm made of glass and I'm afraid to move. I walk around stiffly, afraid to bend, afraid to twist, stepping carefully to avoid falling, scared to drive or ride in a car in case I get in an accident. Note that I am actually doing everything I need to do (taking care of myself and my house, working full time, going out with friends) but I am doing it all in a constant state of anxiety. Every so often I go down a very dark path, mentally, and decide it would be better to just end it before it gets worse. I have been able to talk myself out of it every time, thankfully, by thinking about how sad my family would be without me. Will I be able to get past this and live my life without fear again? I'm 62 and figure I have another 20+ years on this earth. I have been looking forward to spending my final years peacefully, enjoying life but at this rate, that isn't going to happen. Any positive stories or encouragement would be much appreciated!

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otherside | @otherside | Dec 3, 2025
In reply to @kristie2 "@otherside you can get a blood test to see where your Calcium levels are." + (show)
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@otherside you can get a blood test to see where your Calcium levels are.

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@kristie2 Yes, I've had periodic blood tests to check for levels of calcium, Vitamin D, etc.

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the | @the | Dec 3, 2025
In reply to @otherside "@bearbayou Perhaps I should have said I'm very doubtful that AlgaeCal can increase bone density rather..." + (show)
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@bearbayou Perhaps I should have said I'm very doubtful that AlgaeCal can increase bone density rather than that I'm fairly certain. I haven't had a follow-up DEXA scan for 10 years. Due to having had two hip replacements and arthritis in the spine I've been told the numbers wouldn't be accurate. I'm also rather skeptical about DEXA to begin with; its diagnostic categories are arbitrary and I believe the scores are geared to overtreatment.

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@otherside well medical experts would disagree.

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bswpb | @bswpb | Dec 3, 2025
In reply to @kristie2 "@otherside you can get a blood test to see where your Calcium levels are." + (show)
Profile picture for kristie2 @kristie2

@otherside you can get a blood test to see where your Calcium levels are.

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@kristie2 it’s my understanding that serum calcium is not an indicator of the amount of calcium in bones.

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the | @the | Dec 3, 2025
In reply to @normahorn "@the What medical "experts"?" + (show)
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@the
What medical "experts"?

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@normahorn that are called Doctors

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Dec 4, 2025
In reply to @bearbayou "@gargoy --I have A "Lifepro Vibration" plate which just arrived. On Amazon's site (which I'm weaning..." + (show)
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@gargoy --I have A "Lifepro Vibration" plate which just arrived. On Amazon's site (which I'm weaning myself from) in the questions 'answered' by AI, it's concluded that the Lifepro can be considered both low and high intensity. All depends on the setting we choose. Reportedly, there's little risk to our eyes at the low-intensity levels 1-10.
(At any rate, I will also ask my ophthalmologist.)

"Variable Intensity Levels:

Low Intensity: Speed settings 1-20 (many users mention using levels 1-10 for gentle therapy)
High Intensity: Speed settings up to 99 RPM for more intense workouts
What Makes It Adjustable:

99 different speed settings allow you to start very gentle
9 preset programs (P0-P9) with varying intensities
Remote control for easy adjustment during use
Customer reviews frequently mention starting at very low settings (speeds 1-5) for therapeutic use, lymphatic drainage, and recovery, then gradually increasing intensity for fitness goals. One reviewer specifically mentions using "level 1 at mid speed" for gentle lymphatic drainage."

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@bearbayou

There is quite a robust conversation elsewhere here about vibration plates. Also check out the information on melioguide.com
Welcome to the bone tribe.

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rjd | @rjd | Dec 4, 2025
In reply to @glnamcgr "Your experience with your healthcare sounds all too familiar. Doctors are very eager to prescribe medication..." + (show)
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Your experience with your healthcare sounds all too familiar. Doctors are very eager to prescribe medication with no discussion of alternative holistic options and no discussion of side effects—and you will be on these drugs for the rest of your life! Good for them and the drug companies, but not so good for you! I have done years of research on osteoporosis and medications, and I am 100% convinced the benefits do not outweigh the risks. I was also diagnosed with osteoporosis in my 60s. I am now 80. I downhill skied until I was 72 and only quit because I couldn’t find any other old ladies to ski with me! And, yes, I fell often while skiing because I like speed! I still ride my bike, play pickleball three times a week, go to the gym, jump on my trampoline, use my TRX rope at home and walk my little princess Maltese poodle a mile or two each day. Please take time to research! There’s a difference between dense bone and strong bone. Work to make your bones stronger! Don’t let this ruin your life and don’t let the doctors frighten you into taking drugs. My mother had two broken hips after age 90 and she lived to be 97. I believe the people who let fractures take years off their life are people who aren’t motivated to get out of bed, do PT, and get on with their life. Don’t let this consume you; just keep moving and enjoying life! Eat healthy, don’t smoke, limit your alcohol intake, work on your balance, and most importantly, lift weights! I am wary of supplements, especially calcium as it can go to your arteries. I take a very small amount of calcium, K2, and magnesium. I have so many more thoughts to share with you, but I have to get to Pickleball. Good luck!

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@glnamcgr do you monitor your bone density with DEXA? If so, would you mind terribly sharing your history of dexa scores?

I tend to agree with you that the OP meds in general do not outweigh the risks. And that it is short-sighted to confuse/equate bone density with bone strength but measurements of strength still do not exist....as far as I know.

And everything I understand about bone remodeling points to it being connected with being very, very active......walking alone may not be enough. Hard for most folks to do but you seem to be doing it.

As a lifelong tennis player and now aged 75, I was disappointed to find myself meandering in and out of osteoporosis territory as defined by dexa scores. But if I can keep those scores from increasing by using targeted physical effort and targeted nutrition, I will be satisfied.

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dmbwa99362 | @dmbwa99362 | Dec 4, 2025
In reply to @gravity3 "@bearbayou There is quite a robust conversation elsewhere here about vibration plates. Also check out the..." + (show)
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@bearbayou

There is quite a robust conversation elsewhere here about vibration plates. Also check out the information on melioguide.com
Welcome to the bone tribe.

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@gravity3 thank you for sharing this website. I am 60 and I have osteoporosis

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Dec 4, 2025
In reply to @the "@otherside well medical experts would disagree." + (show)
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@otherside well medical experts would disagree.

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@the

I am not sure who mentioned this first. It would be very helpful to me if you would include links to the research that the "medical experts" are using to support this. Thanks

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kristie2 | @kristie2 | Dec 4, 2025

drterri, I wanted to let you know that I was also one of those people that was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis at -4.6 in my spine. My endocrinologist said that I was her first patient with this severity. That I was a walking time bomb. That I could fracture by any stressful movement on my joints. Needless to say prior to that I had been very active jogging, strength training. I went home feeling very depressed and on top of that had to decide what bone medicine to take. I decided that I was not going to let this define me. The DEXA doesn’t measure the strength of your bones. I continue with my life and take one day at a time. Life is good.

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